MARCH - workshops

This month's workshops focus on different hand sewing methods. I'm really excited about this month's activities as we are introducing some new classes and textile teachers to Fabrications fold!
Starting with this Sunday 4th March, Katherine May fresh from her popular classes at the V+ A this week is running a quilting class. For those of you unfamiliar with the technique, quilting is the decorative sewing through of your patchwork fabric or whole cloth and wadding to create designs and texture. Katherine wanted to do a class that focuses on quilting as she found that it tended to get rushed at the end of her patchwork classes as students get engrossed in the patchwork part. She also wanted to highlight historical and contemporary examples and show the variety of applications for the technique.


On Saturday 17th March, local textile artist Jessie Chorley is running her full day special workshop 'embroidered memory books and pages'. Once you've booked on, Jessie will send you a materials list and encourages you to bring along special fabrics and mementos so you create something truly unique to you. Before you get going with learning the embroidery and applique methods that Jessie uses, she will talk about the inspiration behind her own narrative textile works and take you on a visit to her shop on nearby Columbia Road. The full day will give the space to really get into the making process.


On Sunday 18th March, Sarah Corbett will be running her Craftivism workshop - making mini protest banners. For regular followers of my blog, I have written about a number of Craftivist projects that Sarah has initiated. Sarah set up the Craftivist Collective and is seen as one of the leading spokespeople for the global craftivist movement. During the workshop she will talk about how the movement started and the benefits of using craft as a beautiful, non threatening and thought provoking method to activism. It will also be very creative and hands on, where you will learn how to interpret design and text into cross stitch or embroidery and create your very own mini protest banner, which hopefully you will want to hang out in the street after the workshop as other craftivists do!

On Sunday 25th March, I will be running an introduction to weaving workshop. During the class I explain how to create your 'warp' and 'weft' looking at colour, design and material choices. I will show 3 different weaving techniques - flat board weaving, a technique I developed for my woven upcycled inner tubes, 'tube matting and cushions'. Peg loom weaving on wool-n-dance peg looms. Both these methods are very low tech and a quick method to create fabric. Then there will be opportunity to have a go on my antique foot peddled loom. - a slower process but more intricate. You will create a series of samples to take away.

Knitters go wild in Hackney!

Our town hall square has been transformed overnight! On Saturday, I got the tip off in the shop that 'the woolly transformation' or 'yarn storm' would take place late on Sunday night. On Monday morning reporter Massey was at the scene! And what a beautiful and colourful scene it is! All 12 trees in Hackney's town hall square have been lovingly wrapped in knitted and crocheted patchwork covers, reminiscent of Freddie Robins tree cosies. I'm sure the trees are really happy with their new warm jackets! As are the passers by that I saw inspecting the trees, looking and smiling!

Richard puts his best foot forward

I've just received this photo in my inbox from Richard Walker, live and direct from India, who has been knitting these socks, using 4 ply King Cole merino blend, which he purchased from Fabrications before he left, combined with some 'man made at heels and toes' (source unknown!)
He informs me he may postpone the second sock and knit a little skull cap, the sun is so strong. Will Richard be hopping lots under that amazing blue sky, but at least his head will be protected.
I am so impressed with Richard's progress. He is one of Fabrications star pupils, having attending most of our classes here including our Beginners knitting class and Sue Russell's knitting socks class. Looking forward to seeing you on your return Richard! X

FEBRUARY workshops and events

We've got another action packed month of different classes, some have already passed as I'm updating my blog a bit late but this is what's on for the rest of the month. To keep up to date with the workshop and events programme, check into the website calender:

This Saturday (18th Feb) 2 - 4.30pm : Beginners Knitting with me! Learn or refresh on the basics and get started!
This Sunday (19th Feb) 2 - 4.30pm : Piecing Patchwork with Katherine May. This session focusses on pattern and design and starting your own project. Next month Katherine will be running another session which focusses on the quilting side of patchwork.

Saturday 25th Feb, 1 - 4pm: Mrs Bears Clothes swapping event. Bring up to 7 quality but unwanted items and raid the rails!! There will also be a vintage SALE rail, with hand picked goodies by Mrs Bear.

Sunday 26th Feb, 2 - 4.30pm: Refresh your wardrobe - simple sewing alterations with me! Another opportunity to go through your wardrobe or bring in items found at the clothes swap for simple alterations, re tailoring or re vamping. I will tailor the session according to what each participant wants to learn and the clothes they want to transform!

More next Month! Love BarleyX

Lets hijack valentines!

A giant love letter has elegantly floated into Fabrications window this month in time for Valentines day. It is stopping passers by in their tracks, my favorite reaction was 2 small boys who stood, pointed and smiled lots. They ran off and brought back their parents to read it - brilliant! Keep recruiting boys!!

Originally created by Sarah Corbett (founder of the Craftivist Colective) for a public craftivism workshop during Tracy Emin's 'Love is what you want' show at the Hayward Gallery last summer. The letter and workshop urged participants to "show their love through action to their global neighbour struggling in this unjust world". Participants pledged different acts of love they would carry out locally or globally by writing down their action on a luggage label.
This giant letter has become a chain letter, having recently travelled back from independent bookshop's window 'News from Nowhere' window in Liverpool and now is at Fabrications urging passers by to stop, think and act!

It has also been a great display that promotes 2 special craftivism events, we are hosting here:

This Thursday 9th February, 6 - 9pm:
Open studio and 'Hijacking valentines preparation session'.
All are welcome to join the London craftivists in this fun and friendly session in creating valentine's cards and crafted gifts which will be left out in the street in various nooks and crannies to be found by unsuspecting members of the public, beautiful and gentle reminders to 'show some love'. You don't need to be in a relationship to receive one of these!

Image courtesy of Sarah Corbett

During the evening you will also be able to meet Sarah Corbett, a real inspiration and a very friendly lady! She is running a
'mini protest banner making' workshop at Fabrications on
Sunday 19th March, 2 - 4.30pm which focuses on the history of craftivism, it's benefits and how it can create change through thought provoking, non threatening, crafty action. She will also be teaching practical skills in how to interpret text and design in cross stitch and embroidery to create slogans with impact. If you're interested in attending please contact us to book in!

Image courtesy of Sarah Corbett

Don't Move Improve!

Straight from last night's private view at the Building Centre in Central London, here are Eric and Nicholai of Delvendahl Architects, in front of their design for Fabrications, which has been shorlisted for the 'Don't move, improve!' award organised by NLA (new London architecture) in assotiation with RIBA (Royal institute of British architecture) BIID (British institute of interior design) and Elle Decoration.
The exhibition (which continues until 28th March) showcases shortlisted schemes from this year’s ‘Don’t Move, Improve!’ competition, which invited architects and homeowners from across Greater London to submit their most innovative and well-designed home extension, interior design and small office conversion projects completed within the last three years. Well done Eric + Nicholai on being shorlisted!

JANUARY workshops and events

This year's workshops are now underway! It's so lovely to be able to offer a wider range of classes in a new fully equipped workroom. Last weekend we had a beginners crochet class facilitated by Ayda Anlagan on Saturday. On Sunday I ran a beginners knitting class. I've introduced a feedback form - these were some of the comments:
"The workshop space is amazing, really friendly and helpful teacher"
" Had a great time learning a new skill with a nice teacher and meeting new people. Can't wait to do another"
" The course was great. I really liked the individual attention and encouragement"

This is what else is on this month. For more information on each class please click through to the calender on the website. If you are interested in booking a place, contact Barley through e-mail or telephone or at the shop.

THURSDAY 19th January, 5.30 - 8pm: Basic book keeping
FRIDAY 20th January, 5.30 - 8pm: Setting up your own business
SATURDAY 21st January, 2 - 4.30pm: Taste of flat felt making
SUNDAY 22nd January, 2 - 4.30pm: KNIT LARGE!
SUNDAY 29th January, 2 - 4.30pm: Refresh your wardrobe - Darn it! Mend it! Customise it!

After the success of the first Mrs Bears clothes swap event, we've decided to do another this month on SATURDAY 28th January, 1 - 4pm. Go through your wardrobe and bring up to 7 unwanted yet quality items to exchange. Visit Mrs Bears website to find out how it all works.
This month ON THE MEZZANINE, Mrs Bear is introducing her Vintage SALE RAIL and Debs of Stitch in time alterations will also be on hand for a free consultation and promoting her service.
Keep an eye out for our 'Refresh your wardrobe' workshops, which we're running to compliment the swaps. Maybe there is something on the rails that doesn't quite fit or you'd like to learn how to alter the item or transform it in some way.

MRS BEAR says "Please try to come to the Swap early, to avoid queuing, the rails will already be full of clothing to swap, as I run a number of clothing swaps, so what's on the rails is constantly changing! Looking forward to seeing you!"